Digitalisation is boosting food supply chain efficiency
In recent years, the food supply chain has witnessed significant technological advancements aimed at improving transparency, sustainability, and safety. As the demand for digitalisation grows, companies are leveraging technologies like blockchain and IoT sensors to optimise supply chains.
Transforming, transparency and traceability
Provenance and IBM Food Trust are leading the way in utilising blockchain to ensure transparency and traceability in the food supply chain. Provenance states its platform has improved supply chain efficiency by 25%, reducing food fraud and enhancing consumer trust by providing real-time tracking of food products from farm to fork. Similarly, IBM Food Trust’s collaborative network of growers, processors, distributors, and retailers utilises blockchain to trace the journey of food, enhancing food safety and minimising waste through optimised processes.
Enhancing real-time monitoring and safety
Companies like Tive and Clear Labs focus on real-time monitoring and food safety. Tive specialises in real-time tracking solutions for perishable goods, using IoT-enabled sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, and location continuously. This ensures the quality and safety of vegetables and other perishable items throughout the supply chain. Clear Labs, on the other hand, employs genomic data analysis to identify pathogens and contaminants, significantly reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensuring the safety of food products.
Optimising agricultural data management
Farmobile and AgriDigital are making significant strides in data management for the agricultural sector. Farmobile provides solutions for farmers to collect, store, and analyse agronomic data, helping them make informed decisions to optimise crop yields and improve overall supply chain efficiency. AgriDigital offers a comprehensive digital platform for grain growers, buyers, and storage providers, integrating blockchain technology to ensure seamless and secure grain transfer, promoting transparency and efficiency in agriculture.
Ensuring food quality and reducing waste
Ripe.io, Walmart Food Traceability Initiative, and ImpactVision are focused on ensuring food quality and reducing waste. Ripe.io uses blockchain to create a transparent and trustworthy food supply chain, tracking food from farm to table to ensure quality and authenticity. Walmart’s initiative integrates blockchain technology into their supply chain, enhancing food safety and transparency, while ImpactVision utilises hyperspectral imaging to assess the quality and freshness of food products. This technology provides detailed insights into the composition and condition of vegetables and other food items, enabling better quality control and reducing waste.
Streamlining global shipping
Maersk’s TradeLens is a blockchain-enabled digital shipping platform that streamlines the global supply chain. By providing real-time visibility and secure data exchange, TradeLens enhances the efficiency and reliability of food shipments, including perishable goods like vegetables. This technology ensures that food products are transported safely and efficiently, reducing delays and losses in the supply chain.
These are just a few examples of how digitalisation is changing the food supply chain landscape worldwide. The SIAL Food Supply Chain Summit on 22 October 2024 will explore a range of issues and technologies impacting the sector.
Image: Homa appliances – Unsplash
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